Golfers who are serious about improving their game tend to work hard on the practice range--putting in hours to develop, hone and master their individual swing mechanics for each type of shot--till they create a consistent feel and some confidence. No one expects to get better without practice so they commit themselves wholeheartedly to the physical aspects of the game.

But what about mental training?

Everyone knows there’s a big mental component to golf, but who actually takes the time to train mentally and what does that even look like?

"The Zone" is an “optimal performance state”, a special “mental” place, where somehow, and for some period of time, conscious thought is suspended, everything flows, and you can do no wrong.

Sport Psychologist, Tom Ferraro, Ph.D. calls the pleasure experienced while in the zone “…intrinsically motivating and maybe one of the reasons golfers devote so much time to the game.” If you’ve ever been there, it probably felt “phenomenologically different” from your usual golf game. However fleeting, you want more!!

So what’s the zone and how can golfers find it? Let’s explore Dr. Ferraro’s excellent 1999 article, The Zone and Golf for answers.

Time to make a game plan...

You know enough to know that golf can be incredibly complicated, not to mention intimidating. As you’ve practiced your strokes, learned the rules and the etiquette, have you given any thought to your mindset? Has anyone introduced you to "the mental game"? Have you ever considered the importance of mental preparation?

At a loss for what to get the golfer in your life? Worried that a sleeve of (the wrong) golf balls, a new club head cover, or visor might not cut it this year? Look no further! We have just what you've been searching for--a unique and thoughtful golf gift that's useful and can actually helps improve every golfer's game, no matter their skill level!

ShoeTips Golf is a confidence builder that leads to better performance and greater enjoyment. It’s simple, brand new and something that neither you, nor the special golfer in your life, has probably ever seen before.

Everyone's talking about the simple breathing technique Jason Dufner used to help win the Memorial at Muirfield Village Golf Club, June 4, 2017, in Dublin, Ohio. As accessible to amateurs as it is to pros, ShoeTips reminds you to bring your attention to your breath as you stand over a putt--or any shot--and let your stroke take care of itself. It sure worked for Dufner!

James Sieckmann, Director of Instruction at Shadow Ridge C.C., Omaha, Nebraska, short-game expert, four-time Nebraska Section PGA Teacher of the Year and regular contributor to Golf.com offered a mental game approach to "Putt Without Fear" in the May 2017 issue. His advice echoes several of ShoeTips' positive swing thoughts--"visualize", "breathe/focus", and "commit/trust".

Here's a great piece by GolfWeek regular contributor Dr. Bob Winters, an internationally renowned sport psychologist who works with champion golfers, that ran in the February 2017 issue. Winters shares his :60 second strategy to get your head in the right frame of mind to begin your round.